#33 Weddings

A wedding, or חֲתוּנָה, (pronounced: cha’too’nah) is so central to Jewish life as the foundation of a Jewish family and Jewish home, that it is mentioned in the blessing which gives baby boys their names at their בְּרִית מִילָה (b’reet mee’lah) brit milah and to baby girls at their שִׂמְחָת בָּת (seem’chaht baht) simchat bat. While wedding ceremonies vary, common features of a Jewish wedding include a marriage contract, כְּתוּבָּה (keh’too’bah) or ketubah, which is signed by two witnesses, a חוּפָּה‎, a wedding canopy (choo’pah) (sometimes spelled in English: chuppah or huppah), a ring owned by the groom that is given to the bride under the canopy (and often from her to him), blessings, and the breaking of something glass. Jewish weddings occur between two people in love for both straight and gay or lesbian couples. In Hebrew, the groom is called the חָתָן (cha’tahn) and the bride is the כַּלָה (ka’lah). The chuppah is so central to the Jewish wedding, that its name has become a nickname for Jewish weddings, for example, you can say “I am going to my cousin’s chuppah next weekend.”

#1 WATCH:

#2 STUDY: The Ketubah

Before the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom agree to be bound by the terms of the ketubah, or marriage contract, in the presence of two witnesses, who sign the ketubah. The ketubah details the obligations of the couple to one another, among which are food, clothing, and marital relations and any other promises they may make to one another. This document has the standing of a legally binding agreement. It is often written as an illuminated manuscript that is framed and displayed in their home. It is traditional to read the signed ketubah aloud under the chuppah, usually in the Aramaic or Hebrew original, but sometimes in translation too. Couples may opt for special customized ketubahs that are less traditional, but reflect the kind of marriage they hope to have, the home they plan to create and the values they hope to live by as a family.

#3 WATCH: The Ketubah

#4 STUDY: The Chuppah

A חוּפָּה‎ chuppah is a canopy under which a Jewish couple stand during their Jewish wedding ceremony. It consists of a cloth or sheet, sometimes a tallit, stretched or supported over four poles, or sometimes manually held up by attendants to the ceremony. A chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will build together.

There are lots of traditions about the chuppah. An Orthodox tradition recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah, although this is not mandatory and not common among Sephardic communities (Jewish communities who trace their roots back to Spain). If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidic Jews (an Ultra-Orthodox sect within Judaism) prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors. Regardless of where we use the chuppah, it should be open on all sides, this is so that symbolically the couple’s ancestors are present under the chuppah. It also relates to the tradition of our ancestors Abraham and Sarah, who had a tent that was open on all sides, so that everyone would feel welcome.

In Yemen, the Jewish practice was not for the groom and his bride to be under the chuppah hung on four poles, as is widely practiced today in Jewish weddings. Instead, the bridal chamber that was, in effect, a highly decorated room in the house of the groom. This room was decorated with large hanging sheets of colored, patterned cloth, replete with wall cushions and short-length mattresses for reclining – a sort of live-in chuppah.

#5 WATCH: The Chuppah

#6: The #7: Seven Wedding Blessings and the Seven Circles

A bride traditionally walks around her beloved seven times when she arrives at the chuppah. It’s also customary to recited seven short blessings called the Sheva Brachot (shev’ah b’ra’chote). The numer “7” is important because it reminds us of the Jewish story of creation which took seven days in the Book of Genesis. The relationship of seven circle and seven wedding blessings is the idea a new married couple is like the creation of a new world, something new being created right before our eyes!

#8 Watch – The Horah!

# 7 Review and Response

1. What is the name of the Jewish marriage contract?
2. How many times does a bride traditionally circle her beloved? Why?
3. What is the name of the Jewish wedding canopy?
4. What is the last part of the wedding ceremony?
5. If you get married, what unique custom would you like to include in your ceremony?

Need some help? We’re here for you. At any time, if you have any questions, please contact one of our teachers so we can help you. Also, at the end of the session, remember to review your responses in your Tamid Workbook so you can get credit for this lesson. Behatzlacha (Hebrew for good luck)! You can reach Sarah at (646)360-0689 or [email protected]